There are several things you can do on a cruise that you wouldn’t know about, expect or even think to ask for. I found that out recently at the hairdresser.
I was chatting with someone who had never been on a cruise, and she said, “I didn’t know you could actually do that on a cruise.” It got me thinking that a lot of first-time cruisers, and probably plenty of seasoned ones, don’t know several of these.
With that said, here are 12 things you can do on a cruise that might surprise you.
Special Occasions and Special Requests
1. Get Married on a Cruise
This one came up at the hairdresser. Someone getting married was talking about how expensive wedding venues are, and I said you could always get married on a cruise.
She asked, “Do people really do that?” They do. On almost every cruise we take, we see one to three or four couples getting married.
Some are renewing their vows, and many are having a full glam wedding. It’s a great way to plan a wedding with the venue right there, and my understanding is that it’s significantly cheaper than a venue at home.
Packages can include the officiant, which might be the captain or one of the officers, plus flowers, a photographer and more. If one of my own children wanted to do this one day, I think it would be really nice.
Have you ever thought about getting married on a cruise, or been to a wedding on one? Let us know in the comments.
2. Have Your Celebrations Highlighted
A lot of people aren’t aware that you can let the cruise line know about an anniversary, a birthday or another special occasion. You can simply note it on your booking and it will be celebrated.
In some cases that means a piece of cake in the main dining room and maybe a song. If you also mention it to your cabin attendant or someone else onboard, you never know what might happen.
You could get a special towel animal or a decoration in your cabin. For a really big milestone, they may surprise you with something more.
3. Ask for Food That Isn’t on Display
This sounds a little surprising, but it’s a tip several people use. If you’re vegan or gluten-free, you may not see the options in front of you in the buffet or on the menu.
Just because you don’t see gluten-free bread, gluten-free pasta or vegan dishes doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Some cruise lines label these items or even have separate menus, which I really like.
If you don’t see what you need, ask, because the options are available. Kosher food is also available on many cruise lines, although you often need to make that request in advance.
4. Get Off at a Port Early
You can’t do this automatically. If you want to leave the ship at a port before the end of your itinerary, though, you might be able to get special permission.
Many years ago I worked as a travel agent, and I had clients who wanted to get off in Victoria, British Columbia. Their Alaska cruise sailed round trip from Vancouver, but they had family reasons for leaving in Victoria.
We had to make a special request to the cruise line, and it was ultimately granted. People always ask whether the cruise ends up cheaper or if you get a pro-rated amount back for the days you miss, and the answer is no.
It still gave them a nice way to get off in Victoria and spend time there.
Little Freedoms Onboard
5. Walk Around the Ship With Your Drink
This one is a lot simpler. You can take your drink in the elevator, leave a restaurant or bar with it, walk around the ship and even carry it back to your cabin.
It’s not something you’d do at a hotel. You wouldn’t take your glass from the bar all the way to your room.
6. Store Your Bottle of Wine at the Restaurant
Speaking of drinks, if you order a bottle of wine at a restaurant, you can store it there. You don’t need to finish it all right then or carry it back to your cabin.
The restaurant can keep it for you, and it can even be sent to another restaurant or the dining room for the next evening.
7. Use the Showers at the Spa or Gym
Here’s a practical one. Say you have a family in the cabin with two teenagers, and dad heads to the gym and showers there afterward.
Or maybe one person takes a really long shower and you want to separate while everyone gets ready, even if you’re a couple. It’s a cruise tip I know several people use.
8. Wake Up Very Early or Stay Up Very Late
You’re allowed to get up early and walk around the ship, or go to bed very late and do the same. I’ve been asked what time the ship closes down.
There’s no specific time. Many venues do close and the pools are closed overnight, usually with nets over them.
If you want to stargaze or catch the sunrise, the whole ship is yours.
Seeing More of the Ship and the Destination
9. Take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour
You can take a tour of the ship’s galley, the theater and entertainment department, and even the bridge. Some of these are paid options and others might be free, so check your cruise planner to see what’s available.
We’ve done a galley tour, and sometimes they’ve been completely free. Nothing makes you appreciate the food on a cruise like seeing the effort that goes into it, with so many things made from scratch.
We’ve also done a bridge tour. You’re usually not allowed to take videos, but you can take photos, and it was so good I would do it again.
Have you ever done a behind-the-scenes tour? Would you recommend it?
10. Visit the Secret Decks
There are many quieter, less visited places on a cruise ship that guests are allowed to go to. They just aren’t marked in a way that draws attention.
Sometimes it’s the promenade deck, and other times it’s a spot very far forward or aft. When we sailed on Star Princess in both the Caribbean and Alaska, we were able to access the forward decks right underneath the bridge.
There were no chairs or anything out there, but the views were amazing and absolutely worth it. For more spots to look for, see our post on the hidden features you’ll find on a cruise ship, and if you’re sailing with Princess, our Princess Cruises tips for first-timers are worth a look.
11. Take a Cruise Excursion on the Last Day
I was speaking recently to seasoned cruisers who didn’t know you could do this. You can book a cruise line excursion on the last day of your cruise.
Why would you? You might have a late flight, or maybe you didn’t have a chance to visit that port city before your cruise and want to see it afterward.
The big benefit is that your luggage can be stored. On a coach-style bus, for example, they’ll look after it and drop you at the airport.
We did this several years ago after a Mediterranean cruise, and it was a great way to tour Rome before heading home. For more on getting off the ship, see our cruise disembarkation tips and our dos and don’ts for disembarkation day.
One More That Can Be Really Meaningful
12. Have a Burial at Sea Ceremony
I saved this one for last because it can seem a little morbid, but I don’t think it is. I think a lot of people aren’t aware of it, and for some it could be really meaningful.
A friend of ours is doing this for her father, and they’re having it on the Queen Mary 2. Cruising and the Queen Mary 2 were very special to him, and they took many trips together as a family over the years.
She told me something I didn’t realize, which is that it’s free. There’s a process, though, including the container that can be used, so you can’t just bring ashes and throw them over the side.
It also has to be done a certain distance from shore. If you’d like to hear more about it, let me know and I can share more once it happens.
Final Thoughts
Were there other things you didn’t know you could do on a cruise? Or things other people didn’t realize were possible? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy cruising!
Ilana